Updates on the University's global engagement activities

The International Relations Office hosted its three-day Agents’ Conference from 13 to 15 June 2017, welcoming 31 international representatives from 16 different countries to the event showcasing the University of Bath.

A background to the agents we work with

As part of our international recruitment strategy, the University has a global network of local representatives who receive training on our courses, facilities, application procedures and entry requirements. This allows agents an insight into our processes, requirements and strengths, consequently increasing our recruitment of highly qualified international students.

Agents act as our year-round representative in key markets and offer a support service to potential and actual applicants to the University of Bath. They also act as our ‘eyes and ears’ in each market by feeding market intelligence and guidance on education systems and qualifications back to us.

Our educational agents are responsible for over £9.4 million in overseas fee income into the University every year and are a key resource in promoting our courses worldwide.

Collaboration across the University creates a successful conference for all

The agents’ conference was a great success, in no small part due to the collaboration of departments across the University.

University Secretary Mark Humphriss opened the conference by welcoming our agents, highlighting the important role they play in our international recruitment strategy. Students’ Union President Lucy Woodcock followed this with an exciting and informative introduction to the SU, providing agents with a view of the sporting and social elements of the student experience.

Interaction and collaboration were key themes of the conference, and these were delivered in part through a series of workshops focusing on a number of crucial topics related to international recruitment:

· the current recruitment cycle and looking ahead to the next

· our postgraduate taught offering and new courses

· the University's existing processes

· the University’s digital and marketing initiatives, including the new website design

· the University’s strengths in the employability of our students.

Agents were run through their paces at a series of workshops

Colleagues involved in recruitment and admission of international students from around the University also had the opportunity to meet our agents informally during an evening drinks reception at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath.

Agents were welcomed to Bath at a drinks reception at the Victoria Art Gallery.

The conference concluded with our agents attending the University of Bath Open Day, listening to subject talks, tours and visiting the Information Fair at the Sports Training Village. Being able to experience the energetic and engaging atmosphere of our Open Days first-hand gives our agents a unique insight into the diverse and welcoming atmosphere at the University, which they can then relate to prospective applicants.

Anamaria Puicar from Global Study, our representative in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) commented: “Seeing the campus has shed a new light on the university… the informative sessions made me understand more about the USPs and the unique courses the University provides. Overall, it was a great experience and exploring the beautiful city of Bath was the cherry on top.”